NEWS DESK
Polio survivors Stayin’ Alive in Hastings Approval urged for ritual WORLD Polio Day will be celebrated by Victorian survivors of the virus at Hastings this year with the theme Stayin’ Alive. Hastings MP Paul Mercurio will open the Polio Network Victoria event at the Sanctuary Inn On Westernport on 25 October. “Polio Day, is an annual opportunity for survivors who met as children at various rehabilitation hospitals such as Mount Eliza, Fairfield, Lady Dugan or country centres, to catch up, and to discuss current health and management issues,” Mornington Peninsula Post-Polio Support Group convenor and PNV vice-chair Fran Henke said. Polio epidemics affected mostly children, paralysing limbs and lungs until 1956 when the vaccine reached Victoria. Thousands died and those who survived were now dealing with the late effects of polio or post-polio syndrome “and ignorance of it”. “This year we are dealing again with bureaucratic battles and assistive technology. We are too old for NDIS, which cuts out at 65 years, and My Aged Care is not really designed for people with disabilities”, Henke said. The first guest speaker will be Dr Natasha Layton on “what have human rights to do with assistive technology”. An occupational therapist practicing, researching and teaching on assistive technology, disability, and outcomes at Monash Frankston campus, Layton has been a member of the Clinical Advisory Panel for Polio Australia, and consultant to the World
at planned temple site
Speakers’ treat: Isabel Carter, of Benton Rise Farm, left, with a beetroot condiment created for guest speakers at this year’s World Polio Day event at Hastings, with convenor Fran Henke and Polio Day branding and gift sourcing officer Dennis Veal. Picture: Ian Thrussell.
Health Organisation. The Department of Health and Aged Care’s assistant director Dion Abel, will speak on his work with local service providers identifying needs and challenges facing ageing and First Nations populations. “The program will not all be heavy and accessible travel and a laughter workshop will lighten the load,” Henke said. “Family, friends and carers are welcome.” Guest speakers will be given a “special condiment” created by Benton
Rise Farm, Tuerong, in locally made Boomerang bags. “I wanted to ensure we used local products and produce to show off our wonderful home,” Henke said. Graeme Johnson, a founding member of the peninsula group who died last year, left a bequest to the group which is helping pay for the day. Bookings can be made through: trybooking.com/CLBIL The $45 plus booking fee includes lunch, morning and afternoon teas. For more details call 0423 020 407 or email: mkeystone@westnet.com.au
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council officers have recommended planning approval be given for a temporary religious worship marquee on green wedge land in Pearcedale, despite 99 objections. The application is for a traditional Hindu puja for religious “land purification” that will run for one week, with two worship sessions of 6am to 11am and 4pm to 8pm. There are not expected to be any activities outside of the proposed marquee area, and no loudspeakers, microphones, music or bell ringing. Some of the objections referred to the “inappropriate” use of the green wedge, the potential for traffic issues, impact of neighbours, and setting a precedent for non-agricultural use. The site, at 1915 Hastings-Dandenong Road, is the subject of a separate planning application. Plans that were submitted in December 2021 by Melbourne Ayyappa Seva Sangam for a traditional Sree Ayyappa Temple attracted more than 300 objections. That application is set to go to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in February. The $4.5 million development proposed by MASS will be built on four hectares of farmland with several temples, car parks, and centres to host events to cater for more than 1000 visitors. The vacant site at the heart of the proposal is surrounded by agriculture, including market gardening, broiler
farms, equestrian and rural living activities. Shire officers have recommended the separate application for the marquee – to go before Mornington Peninsula Shire Council tonight (Tuesday 17 October) - be approved subject to conditions pertaining to noise, amenity and waste. Because it is also expected to go before VCAT, council is able to decide the application, but not issue a decision. A practice day hearing is scheduled for 10 November followed by a compulsory conference on 29 November. A merits hearing is scheduled for 15 and 16 February 2024.
Cyclist dies AN elderly man who fell from his bicycle on Point Nepean Road at Blairgowrie earlier this month died from his injuries on Thursday (12 October). It is believed the man was riding with a group on 1 October when he lost control and fell over the handlebars, about 11am. The 78-year-old from Kooyong sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital. Police will prepare a report for the coroner and investigations remain ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or with footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
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18 October 2023
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